Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will continue its “Tuesday Tutorials” on September 15 when it will present “Diabetes &Kidney Disease” at the Rao Musunuru, MD Conference Center at 14100 Yosemite Drive...

Other Proposed Uses

Sweet clover, long popular as food for grazing animals, is used medicinally as well. It contains various substances in the coumarin family. These chemicals are thought to help strengthen the walls of blood and lymph vessels. However there is no more than preliminary evidence that sweet clover is effective for any medical condition. In addition, use of sweet clover presents some safety concerns. (See Safety Issues for more information.)

Sweet Clover and Its History

The name
Melilotus
originates from the Greek word for honey,
meli
, and a term for clover-like plants,
lotos
. There are four common species in this genus of Eurasian origins:
Melilotus alba
,
M. indica
,
M. officinalis
, and
M. altissimus
.

The fresh or dried leaves and flowering stems of sweet clover were traditionally used as a diuretic.

What Is Sweet Clover Used for Today?

Germany's Commission E
has authorized use of sweet clover extract for symptoms of
venous insufficiency
(a condition closely related to varicose veins) as well as for the treatment of
phlebitis
and
hemorrhoids
.
1
When used for this purpose, however, sweet clover is generally combined with bioflavonoids such as
oxerutin
. However, there is no meaningful evidence as ytet that sweet clover taken
alone
is effective for these conditions.

Sweet clover contains coumarins, substances related to the prescription blood-thinner
warfarin
. Most scientific study relevant to sweet clover involves prescription drugs that combine coumarins and bioflavonoids. These medications have also been used to treat venous insufficiency, as well as numerous other conditions, including elephantiasis, hemorrhoids,
mild digestive disturbances
and various forms of
edema
.
2-7
However, it isn't clear whether sweet clover extracts containing coumarins would work in the same way as the coumarin portion of these pharmaceutical products.

Topical
treatments made from sweet clover are sometimes recommended for the treatment of
hemorrhoids
and
minor injuries
,
9
but as yet there is no real scientific evidence to support these proposed uses.

Dosage

Sweet clover products are standardized to their coumarin content. For treating symptoms of venous insufficiency/ varicose veins, a daily dosage of a sweet clover preparation or extract providing 3 to 30 mg of coumarin is taken internally.
8
(See "Safety Issues," below.)

Safety Issues

The safety of any medicinal use of sweet clover has not been established in humans. Sweet clover contains various substances in the coumarin family. Many (but not all) of these substances thin the blood, and might cause excessive bleeding in some individuals. In particular, sweet clover should not be combined with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin or drugs in the aspirin family.

Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Interactions You Should Know About

If you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as
warfarin
(Coumadin),
heparin
,
clopidogrel
(Plavix),
pentoxifylline
(Trental ) or drugs in the
aspirin
family, you should not use sweet clover.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.